A pair of teams that are squarely in playoff contention, the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues collide at the Scottrade Center in a Western Conference showdown. Fox Sports West will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1.
Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis is 17-8 straight up (SU) and has netted 6.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL so far in this young season, is an improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (46-36). Of its 25 games this season, 13 have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the teams 9-4 SU at home.
The Blues have converted on just 17.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 75.6 percent of all penalties.
The Blues, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Sporting a .907 save percentage and 26.4 saves per game, Jake Allen (13-7-1) has been the primary option in goal for St. Louis this season. If head coach Mike Yeo chooses to give him the night off, however, St. Louis might go with Carter Hutton (4-2-2 record, .946 save percentage, 1.59 goals against average).
The Blue Notes will continue to rely on offensive production via Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn. Schwartz (32 points) is up to 13 goals and 19 assists and has recorded multiple points in nine different games this year. Schenn has 10 goals and 20 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 16 games.
Los Angeles is 15-11 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.1 units this year. Through 26 regular season contests, 14 of its games have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and just two have pushed. The Kings are 8-4 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Kings have converted on just 17.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 89.5 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (.929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 28.6 saves per game and has 12 wins, nine losses, and one overtime loss to his credit.
Anze Kopitar (12 goals, 16 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Kings.
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Four of Los Angeles last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-1 in those games.
- Los Angeles has scored 3.7 goals per game (while allowing just 1.3) over their three-game winning streak.
- Power-play chances may be critical tonight. The Kings are 5-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 10-5 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Blues are 7-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 11-5 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- St. Louis is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-0 in shootouts.
- St. Louis could hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The teams 6-3 in games decided by one goal, while Los Angeles is 5-8 in such games.
- The total has gone over in three of St. Louis last five games.
- St. Louis skaters have averaged 3.8 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 5.2 giveaways per game (ranked 1st in the NHL).
- Los Angeles has averaged 9.8 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 11.2 giveaways per game (ranked 24th in the NHL).
- This game features two of the more aggressive defenses in the league. Los Angeles skaters have accounted for the league’s sixth-most hits per game (24.6) and the Blues have recorded the eighth-most (23.4).
